Duckweed (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Duckweed is a 2026 documentary centered on supernatural-fiction writer Quentin Crisp and his existential question, “Who am I?” Structured around readings from Crisp’s own zuihitsu, the film explores his private landscape and the uncertain boundary between success and failure.

Duckweed is a feature-length documentary from director Matthew Berka, centered on writer Quentin Crisp and the question of identity. Set around Crisp’s reflections and a walk through the “little wood” of his private landscape, the film takes an essayistic approach to his life and ideas.

The documentary is structured around readings from Crisp’s zuihitsu of the same name. With English and Japanese listed as its spoken languages, Duckweed offers a compact, literary portrait rather than a conventional biographical overview.

Duckweed movie details

Story without spoilers

The film follows Quentin Crisp, an aging writer of supernatural fiction living on the outskirts of London. As he considers the fundamental question “Who am I?”, the documentary uses readings from his own zuihitsu—an informal literary work associated with personal reflection—as its organizing principle.

Crisp’s walk into a “little wood” becomes a route through his private landscape. The supplied synopsis presents this setting as a space where conventional ideas of success and failure gradually become less distinct, without revealing a specific conclusion or resolution.

What to expect

Duckweed is identified as a documentary and feature-length film-essay. Its premise points to a reflective, literary structure built around voice, text and personal inquiry rather than a plot-driven narrative. Viewers can expect the focus to remain on Quentin Crisp’s writing, self-questioning and sense of place.

The film’s 1-hour-14-minute runtime suggests a concise presentation of its subject. The synopsis also indicates an interest in examining identity and the limitations of binary ideas such as success and failure, while avoiding a straightforward biographical format.

Cast and creative team

Matthew Berka directs Duckweed. Quentin S Crisp appears as Himself, serving as the documentary’s central subject. No writers are listed in the supplied credits.

• Quentin S Crisp as Himself

Release and production context

Duckweed is a United Kingdom documentary with a listed release date of October 16, 2026. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes, and its spoken languages are English and Japanese. The film is listed as released, with no production companies supplied.

Movies Dock view

Duckweed presents Quentin Crisp through an intimate, text-led documentary form. Its emphasis on Crisp’s own writing, a walk through a personal landscape and the question of identity gives the film a contemplative foundation, while its brief runtime keeps the portrait focused.

Film data:
TMDB